The Protopalatial Settlement οf Apodoulou in Amari

The Minoan Protopalatial settlement of Apodoulou prevails on a low hill called by the locals 'Tou Digeni the Chalkoma' or 'Gournes'. It is located at a key spot, in terms of geographical location, on the natural road that connects it with the Palace Center of Monastiraki (18 km. W) and the Palace Center of Phaistos (20 km. SE). In 1930, trial trenches carried out by Professor S. Marinatos revealed traces of a Neopalatial settlement and, among others, fragments of three stone vessels with Linear A Script. During the Second World War, a short-term excavation was carried out in the southern part of the hill by the German archaeologist E. Kirsten (1951). During the period 1985-2005, the site was excavated by the Greek-Italian archaeological mission under the direction of the Honorary General Director of Antiquities of the Ministry of Antiquities, Mr Giannis Tzedakis and the professor of the University of Naples, Federico I, Louis Godart, bringing to light a significant Minoan ancient Protopalatial settlement.

The main settlement dates back to the Protopalatial (ca. 1900-1700 BC) period and was destroyed by fire at its decline. After the destruction, the space was also used during the next period, the Neopalatian (1700-1650 BC).

The protopalatial building complexes, which were excavated, are 625 square meters in extent. Some of them preserve storey elements, while in general, they use the natural terrain, and in some cases, there are two levels in the same space.

The overall extent of the settlement is estimated at 3,500 sq.m. Sections of six building complexes (Units A, B, C, D, E, Z) were revealed, separated by narrow streets. Of these, two (A and D) have a shared indented facade and are externally surrounded, to the southwest, by a paved road. A remarkable find in the vicinity of this road, in front of the SW face of the settlement, is a clay animal-shaped water spout in the shape of a ram's head. The overall design and architecture of the complexes seem to follow the natural terrain. Complexes B and C were built higher, on a flat area of the hill, while A, D and E are located lower. The road between complexes B and C preserves the remains of a drainage channel covered with slabs, while the road between complexes D and Z led to the exit of the settlement to the west, where it ran through complexes A and D externally. Complexes A-Z were gradually developed in the area.

On the ground floor of the complexes, storage areas and workshops, areas with hearths, and a pottery storeroom under a staircase were discovered, while the main habitation quarter was located on the first floor (Complexes A and D).

Complex A, with a total extent of 225 sq.m., has been almost completely excavated. It included a complex of extensive storage and workshop spaces, communicating with each other. The findings of these areas are mainly stone tools and storage vessels of all sizes. The case of a large warehouse is typical, where a total of sixteen pithoi were found placed in two rows along its SW side, one higher on a bench and the second lower on the floor, in Room 3 of the Complex. Two clay pottery disks were found in an adjacent two-level space, Room 6, which had been used as a pottery workshop. An interesting architectural element is the Γ-shaped staircase in Room 9, which contained, probably placed on shelves, more than 118 pots.

The vessels examined come mainly from complex A and, to a lesser extent, from complexes B and D, as well as from District 1 of the excavation of Sp. Marinatos. They are dated to the Protopalatial period (1900-1700 BC), mainly its last phase (1700 BC), and less in some spots of the excavated area are dated to the Neopalatial (1700-1650 BC) period. They include handleless and one-handled cups, deep and shallow open bowls of small size, basins, pithoi and small pithoi, jugs, side-spouted jars, jar-teapots, and many miniature vases. Most vases from Apodoulou are also found at Monastiraki, Phaistos, Agia Triada, Kamilari, and Kommos.

Remarkable is an amphiconical vessel with two handles and a double spout, probably of ritual function and use, as well as a unique bridge vessel.

The finding of seals in various spots of the settlement and a stamped loomweight indicates the involvement of the people of the settlement in the administrative control system of the era.

The architecture, finds, and geographical location of the protopalatial settlement in Apodoulou indicate that it was a rural settlement connected to the palatial centre of Monastiraki and the palace of Phaistos.

Bibliography

Tzigounaki, A. (1995). Protopalatial site of Apodoulou: Chronology and relation with the neighbourhood. 7th International Cretalogical Congress Proceedings (August 25-29, 1991) Rethymnon 1995, 895-915, Tables 50-57.

Tzigounaki, A. (1999). Apodhoulou. Elements of architecture of a Protopalatial Settlement. In R. Laffineur and W.D. Niemeier (eds.), MELETEMATA: Studies in Aegean Archaeology Presented to Malcolm H. Wiener as He Enters His 65th Birthday (Aegaeum 20), Liège, 863-867.

Tzigounaki, A. (2011). Ο παλαιοανακτορικός οικισμός Αποδούλου Αμαρίου. 10th International Cretological Congress (Chania 1-8 October 2006), Vol. 2, 493-510.

Τζιγκουνάκη, Α. & Godart L. (2014). H Ελληνο-Ιταλική Ανασκαφική Έρευνα στο Αμάρι. Πεπραγμένα Διεθνούς Συνεδρίου: Η Επαρχία Αμαρίου από την αρχαιότητα έως σήμερα, 79-96.

Venieri, I. (2020). Tableware from the Middle Minoan Settlement at Apodoulou, Crete: A Typological Assessment, SMEA NS6, 97-132